Quote Originally Posted by Eden
I admire that you admit that you need to build your pack skills. We definitely have some gals out here that could use some of that. To be completely frank riders in your situation can be a bit scary for everyone else- strong enough to be in the pack, but without the pack handling skills to be safe, so its really cool that you want to learn. Often new riders can be somewhat hostile to advice, but if a more experienced rider gives speaks to you, they usually are doing it to save you and themselves some skin, not to just be critical so its good to listen.
I've only been riding for a year but it still amazes me how many people on a group ride, and these people have been riding much longer than me, don't hold their line or really change their line when taking a corner, etc. I'm sure there are things that I do wrong too but that kind of stuff is scarry to me...not knowing where/what someone who is unpredictable is going/doing. To me it seems like common sense to hold your line but apparently it isn't. Or how someone in front of me won't point out a pothole and I nearly go into it. Maybe that's a whole new thread - riding etiquette for beginners. I know there is probably a whole lot I could learn from the experienced pack riders here. As far as drafting. Once you've done it when you are extremely tired you will embrace it as your friend! I wouldn't have made it back on a group ride once if I didn't have someone draft for me the whole way back. Now that's a nice guy!!